Billabong Festival de Surf draws huge crowds in Costa Rica

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 20 November, 2013 - The Billabong Festival de Surf 2013 took over Jaco Beach, Costa Rica last week, bringing with it some fun three- to four-foot peaks. The Festival consisted of a two-day surf contest with 135 surfers competing, along with a free concert on the beach for the 5,000 surf fans and music lovers who made their way to the event throughout the weekend.

The festival was originally conceptualized to celebrate Mango Surf & Skate’s 25th Anniversary with a local contest and an intimate concert. But the fanfare quickly grew to become one of the country’s hottest surf events in years, leaving Jaco Beach and the thousands of attendees still buzzing with excitement and talking about its impact.

“This event means a lot to me and my family. It’s amazing now that we opened our first surf shop here 25 years ago,” said Luis Corella, owner of Mango Surf & Skate.

“Billabong has been a partner for us since the beginning and we’re very grateful to be celebrating this important milestone with them.”

“It is import that we do whatever we can to support competitive surfing in local communities throughout Latin America,” said Clayton Snyder, Billabong’s Latin America Sales and Marketing Manager. “Mango has ridden an incredible wave over the last 25 years and we’re stoked that they have shared it with us.”

With $8,000 in cash and prizes on the line, some of Latin America’s biggest names in surfing showed up for the Open Men division. Gary Saavedra, Diego Cadena, Gilbert Brown, and Diego Naranjo were all in top form. But it was a strong Tico contingent that made the final round and made for an exciting Finals showdown.

Alberto Munoz, Federico Pilurzu, and Jair Perez all put up valiant efforts, but Billabong team rider and Jaco local Luis Vindas couldn’t be stopped. Vindas dominated the final with a total heat score of 19.50 and took home the $2,000 first place check.

“This win is so important to me because it’s right in front of my house, the wave that I’ve been surfing for 20 years,” said Vindas. “The fact that it’s a Billabong event makes it that much sweeter because they have supported me for so long.”

Billabong athletes Donavon Frankenreiter, Greg Long, Gary Saavedra, Diego Cadena, Diego Naranjo, Luis Vindas, Lisbeth Vindas, and Leo Calvo took some time to stoke out the locals who all got to walk away with a signed poster for the event.

The excitement didn’t end Saturday after the final heat horn blew. The crowd shifted over to the Jaco Blue Beach Club where everyone packed in to see Donavon Frankenreiter end the day with a free concert on the beach. Local reggae band Ojo de Buey opened up the show.

The event was made possible with the support of Billabong, Sanuk (presenting sponsor), Von Zipper, Nixon, Jaco Blue Beach Club, and Radio 979.

Billabong plans to keep the Billabong Festival de Surf alive, hosting it at various locations throughout Latin America in the future.